We ended the last post with you (understandably) questioning my sanity since I’m willing to claim that the Bible says we should watch music videos and go to movies.
But I still think a case can be made. I’ll look at one example in particular, as well as add a caveat.
In Acts 17, we see Paul going to different cities and towns to “reason” with the people there. Usually, he goes straight to the synagogue--the place where Jews gathered--but when he arrives in Athens, he also goes to the marketplace--the place where both Jews and non-Jews gathered. Instead of just debating the finer points of Jewish theology with those who already subscribed to his same beliefs, he would be confronted by many other ideologies from people who held differing beliefs. I don’t know about you, but I’ve found that it’s really difficult to have intelligent debates and discussions when I have no idea what the other person is talking about.
But Paul doesn’t miss a beat. The Bible tells us he had debates with them and was later invited to the Areopagus, the New Testament equivalent to a public debate or a university classroom. Tons of brilliant minds would meet there and debate about philosophies and worldviews. In fact, the author of Acts even tells us that most of the Athenians did nothing but sit around and listen to or talk about the latest ideas. So they were well-versed.
Yet not only is Paul able to hold debates with them, he is also able to quote their philosophers and poets (from memory, no less). In the end, he convinces many of the people there that following Jesus is logically superior to all of the other ideas being lobbied about.
Hold up!
Yes, I realize that stories, information, and ideas were largely passed on by memory and oral repetition—not through writing—during Paul’s time. But it’s still a big deal that he could quote from other philosophers. Sure, he was more used to remembering things after hearing them once than we are today, but to be able to remember a specific thought verbatim and who wrote it is not easy, no matter what culture you’re from.
I would suggest that this means Paul studied them. He didn’t just know their names; he knew their philosophies and their works in detail, as well as what the “fad” ideas were at the time. (What a hip guy!) Athens didn’t have the Internet, smartphones, apps, or any of the other things that constitute popular culture in 21st-century America, but it still had its own pop culture nonetheless. And Paul knew it well enough to hold intelligent discussions and speak in such a way that would appeal to the Athenians.
And, as we all know, Paul was still considered an expert in Jewish theology, as well as one of only a few experts in Christian theology, all while spending most of his time and energy discipling churches, church leaders, and close friends. Whew!
Luckily, we’re not Paul. We’re not called to nurture the infant Christian church or solidify Christian theology. But we are called to disciple. And discipling means giving those we’re discipling the tools and skills they need to have deeper, richer relationships with Jesus Christ and then go out and disciple others in return. But if we’re unaware of what ideas they’ll be facing, temptations they’ll be combating, or culture they’ll be surrounded by, we won’t be able to equip them at all. And their imaginations will be hijacked by lies that only bring destruction and death.
If we’re not addressing relevant issues and hot topics as soon as they go “viral,” then our children will be discipled by whatever culture is teaching them about those issues. And our efforts to help them un-learn what has already been entrenched in their minds may be too late, especially if there’s no desire on their part.
So what’s the caveat? I don’t believe the Bible gives us a precedent for watching, listening, and reading for the fun of it. Paul studied the culture around him in order to engage and challenge it, not to become part of it or to be “entertained.” So we must never stop analyzing and critiquing as we study our culture. (And believe me, once you get going, you’ll never be able to just watch a TV show or just listen to a song again!) But more on this and how to UN-pollute your mind later.
So how can we know all about pop culture quickly and without spending too much time on it? And what about the parts of the Bible that admonish us to stay “unstained by the world” or to “meditate on things that are noble and pure” or to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”? Stick with me in the next few posts as I work through it all.
Stay tuned for Part 3, coming Monday, in which I highlight the fastest and easiest ways to stay up-to-date on Movies and TV.
This series of blogs was written by Melanie, our Associate Director of Research.
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